The Tigers’ season ended in a historic stretch of 15 innings against the Mariners. Now that the postseason is over, one question loomed: What happens to Tarik Skubal? When asked, “My job is to play,” Skubal said, dodging the future talk with professional grace. But that careful non-answer did nothing to quiet the growing speculation among MLB enthusiasts. The real conversation isn’t pitcher comments—it’s his agent, Scott Boras. Known for securing record-breaking contracts, he has Tigers fans preparing for an inevitable farewell.

To avoid going to arbitration, Skubal inked a one-year, $10.15 million deal for 2025. This is his last season of arbitration. If Detroit doesn’t sign him to a huge agreement right away, he’ll be a free agent after 2026. But can the Tigers pay for it? Their payroll for Opening Day 2025 was $143.2 million, which ranks 17th in MLB. That spending isn’t very high, compared to the rest of the league.

Emphasizing exactly that, BallPark Buzz threw an update on X, “The Detroit Tigers are 17th in payroll this year. They have $91M committed to 2026’s payroll and $28M committed to 2027’s payroll. There is zero reason they do not pay Tarik Skubal. If they don’t, don’t villainize the team that gives him a record deal. Villainize the Detroit ownership.”

That financial tension sits at the center of Detroit’s Skubal dilemma. He had a season that carried maximum leverage. During the regular season, he posted a 2.21 ERA, the best in the league, before striking out 22 batters across 13 innings in the ALDS with a 2.08 ERA. The Tigers, on the other hand, don’t seem to want to bet big. That performance can get him a hefty contract.

Detroit’s front office philosophy only adds to the uncertainty.

Scott Harris, the president of baseball operations for the Detroit Tigers, pushed back against any sense of urgency after the trade deadline. “I think this idea of a window is an illusion,” Harris said, per the Detroit Free Press. “It doesn’t mean that I’m shorting the present for the future … but this whole idea of a window is not really filtering into my head.” That thinking might sound strategic, but it could cost Detroit its ace.

Fans think Boras will go all out to get a signature contract because of how dominant he is.

The social backlash, Boras effect

One Tigers supporter cut straight to the business reality. “Boras is not letting him sign anything till after next season, and whatever u offer him after next season will be topped by at least 4 different teams. I don’t want them to, but u need to trade him now, or is all gonna get for losing him is pick 31 in the following year’s draft.” History presents a pessimistic view of negotiations with Scott Boras’s clients. Max Scherzer, Bryce Harper, Juan Soto, and Gerrit Cole have all entered free agency without extensions, raising their salary ceilings. Detroit faces a challenge as Tarik Skubal’s performance could raise his value, complicating negotiations. He could become the first pitcher to secure a $400M contract when he reaches free agency after the 2026 season.

Another commenter reframed the discussion entirely: “It has NOTHING to do with the owner, GM, or the team. Guys don’t sign with Boras for a good contract; they do so to re-set the bar.” The comment highlighted that even a massive offer from Detroit might get rejected because Boras might push Skubal to see what free agency delivers.

One fan proposed a solution. “If I’m Chris Illitch, I make him a standing offer of 8 years, $360 million, AAV $45 million, and tell him to beat it with a last right of refusal.” Chris Ilitch, owner of the Tigers and son of franchise founder Mike Ilitch, is weighing a $360M gamble over eight years at $45M per year. This offer would give Detroit leverage while providing a safety net for Tarik Skubal if the market underperforms.

Boras’ pattern emerged again in another reaction. “Being a top-tier starting pitcher in the game currently, he has an obligation to his union brothers to attain the absolute MAXIMUM dollar amount and set a new bar.” The 2025 pitching market supports this logic. Top-tier starters command contracts that routinely exceed $200 million, with annual values pushing past $40 million. Skubal’s combination of youth, left-handed dominance, and Cy Young-caliber performance positions him to shatter existing benchmarks. Well, we have seen how Boras’ client has always set a benchmark, and Soto is the latest example of that.

The prediction has started to come where he can go. A comment read, “You know he’s going to the @Dodgers.” The Dodgers are known for their deep pockets, and they like having a star-studded roster. And with a payroll of about $350.3 million, if they sign Tarik Skubal, let’s be honest, this won’t be a surprise.

If Detroit doesn’t act soon, its financial caution could make it trade Skubal or, even worse, let him go. And the Tigers’ front office must know his agent is Scott Boras, who is known for getting hefty contracts for his clients.